15 Movies We Can't Wait to See in 2015

It’s a new year, and with a new year comes all-new movies that we can look forward to seeing. We’ve got another blockbuster summer ahead of us, followed by an equally huge holiday season. We hate to leave 2014 in the lurch, but these fifteen 2015 flicks make it hard not to leave last year in the dust and get amped for what’s next.

Fifty Shades of Grey

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Based on the fan-fiction-turned-best-selling phenomenon by writer E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey is not only the first surefire hit of the year, but also the first tentpole release that we’re excited to see. The story of a young student’s sexual awakening courtesy of BDSM enthusiast Christian Grey has captivated the minds of millions over the world, and we’re betting that Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film will follow suit. Whether you consider the novel fine art, a guilty pleasure, erotica trash, or pure nonsense, you can’t deny the intrigue at the prospect of a big screen adaptation. How far will they take it? We’ll find out on Valentine’s Day.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

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Based on the hit comic book series by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, Kingsman: The Secret Service is director Matthew Vaughn’s first film since 2011’s X-Men: First Class. Given his penchant for spectacular action sequences, we’re excited to see how Vaughn handles this underground world of spies, international espionage, and Hollywood kidnappings. Starring Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine, and Mark Strong, Kingsman: The Secret Service is shaping up to be a suitable follow-up to First Class for Vaughn.

Furious 7

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The Fast and the Furious series, against all expectations, has become a juggernaut of a franchise that’s now entering its seventh installment. Dubbed Furious 7, the latest sequel is directed by James Wan and finds Dominic and Brian the subjects of a revenge plot due to the events of Fast and Furious 6. Series regulars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, and Lucas Black are making their return, with Furious 7 being the send-off for Walker’s character due to his untimely passing during filming in 2013. While the tragedy of Walker’s death will forever loom over Furious 7, we expect the filmmakers will send the character off in a respectful and fitting way.

Ex Machina

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Writer Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Dredd) makes his directorial debut with the sci-fi thriller Ex Machina. Starring Oscar Isaac and Domhall Gleeson (who also star together later this year in Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Ex Machina is the story of a computer coder that finds himself unwillingly participating in an experiment for an innovate type of artificial intelligence. While 2015 is going to have plenty of science fiction to go around (Avengers, Mad Max, Star Wars), it’s certainly exciting to see an original property on the list.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

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After a huge 2014 that gave us Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Studios is set to give us the first official Avengers sequel, a movie that promises to be bigger, darker, and more cataclysmic than its predecessor. Utilizing the villain Ultron, the Avengers will face their biggest challenge to date as the A.I.-driven robot wreaks havoc on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Joss Whedon has promised us big changes for the Avengers franchise following this film, not the least of which is the incorporation of Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Vision into the MCU. We can’t wait.

Mad Max: Fury Road

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Director George Miller returns to the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max for the first time since 1985’s Beyond Thunderdome. Tom Hardy inherits the title role from Mel Gibson and is joined by Charlie Theron as a woman called Furiosa, though that’s pretty much all we know about the plot at this time. But if the absolutely crazy trailer is any indication, then Mad Max: Fury Road could be the most insane piece of action cinema we get to enjoy this year. It looks operatic and just plain out there; just the sort of summer blockbuster we get far too few of these days.

Tomorrowland

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Attach Brad Bird’s name to anything and we’ll be on board, but throw in George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Damon Lindelof, and an imaginative plot based on one of Disney’s greatest theme park attractions, and excitement goes through the roof. Tomorrowland will be Bird’s first directorial effort since 2011’s Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol (his first live-action directorial venture), and it’s looking like this project ups the ante in every way. Though we’ve only seen a brief snippet courtesy of the teaser trailer, Tomorrowland promises a big, imaginative adventure that Disney is so adept at delivering.